WASHINGTON/ANCHORAGE — President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail on Sunday with rallies in Iowa and Kansas, two Republican-leaning states where his party is defending narrow Senate majorities ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Federal judge dismisses Alaska lawsuit
A federal judge on Sunday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department that sought to block Alaska from certifying Senate election results if Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan narrowly loses. The lawsuit argued that voters might be confused by the presence of a challenger with a similar name, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., on the ballot. The judge’s decision came as polls showed Democratic candidate Mary Peltola leading in the race, which could determine whether Republicans retain control of the Senate.
Trump, who spent Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after weeks of campaigning, won Iowa by double digits in 2024 but faces an unexpectedly close race this year. Polls indicate Democrats are tied with or leading Republicans in several key Senate contests, including Iowa. His approval rating among rural Americans dropped to 45% in October, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.
Senate control hangs in balance
Thirty-five Senate seats and all 435 House seats are on the ballot. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers. Democrats and some Republicans have framed the election as a referendum on Trump’s policies.
Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican and head of the Republican Senate campaign committee, predicted his party would retain its Senate majority. “His agenda, without any question, is on the ballot,” Scott told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
Key races and developments
In Michigan, Democratic Representative Haley Stevens, who lost the state’s Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, publicly endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers in a video posted to social media. Stevens stated, “I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign,” highlighting divisions within the Democratic Party in a state critical to Senate control.
More than 52 million Americans have already voted in person or by mail, according to the U.S. Election Project. The White House has indicated it is preparing to implement portions of Trump’s agenda without congressional support if Democrats gain control of either chamber. Such a shift could allow Democrats to block Trump’s legislative priorities and launch investigations into his administration.
Election mechanics and voter participation
The midterms will determine whether Trump’s party can sustain its legislative influence or if Democrats will gain the power to reshape his agenda. Early voting data suggests high turnout, with significant portions of the electorate casting ballots before Election Day.